Well drilling machinery



Oct. 6, 193.1. H. TRAEGER ET Al. 1825,984

WELL DRILLING MACHINERY Filed Nov. 22, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ogg- 6, *1931- H. TRAEGER ET AL. 1,825,984

WELL DMLLIN@ Filed Nov. 22, 1927 s sheets-sheet 5 INVENTORS FEEDER/cfr HJ/vsz/v BY HENRY Emea/5e AT RNEY Patented Oct. 6l, 1931 UNITED :STATES Laisser ,PATENT oli-Fics HENRY TnAEGER, or AUBURN, AND FREDERICK n. JENSEN, on SEATTLE,

- WASHINGTON WELL DRILLING MACHINERY Application filed November 22, 1927. Serial No. 235,048.

This invention relates to well 'drilling machinery, and more particularly to improvements in machines of that typ-e ldesigned primarily for water well drilling vwork and 4wherein drilling mechanism is combined with driving mechanism which makes possible the ldrilling ofthe well andthe :driving of its casine at the same time.

llt is the principal object of the present in- 're venti-on to provide a drilling machine of the above character whereby transporting, setting up and A'operating proble-ms are reduced toa minimum by the use of lighter equipment and machinery, and whereby drilling and-casfrs ing driving speed is greatly increased over that possible by machines now generally in use.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of mea-ns for cushioning the 2 action of 'the driving and drilling mechanisms so as to make possible a speedier drilling action and, atl-the same time, eliminate the detrimental shock and strain on the frame structure, cable guides, cables and associated mechanisms. c

Another important object of the invention isto provide means whereby the actionof the driving element may be reversed in such manner so v.as to serve for pulling a casing.

fr still further object is to provide automatically operating means for indicating te the operato-r when a cable is working under excessive strain, so that the operator may feed out the cable to the-proper length for most satisfactory results.

`Still another object of the invention resides inthe details of construction of a latch mechanism whereby la walking beam of the drilling device may beheld against operation.

5255i Other objects ofthe invention reside in the various details of construction and in the combination of parts and in their mode of operation as will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishingKV these objects, weV have provided the improved details of construction, 'the preferred forms lof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation of a `well drilling machine embodied by the present invention, showing the derrick raised in position for drilling.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, sectional deta'l of the upper end mechanism of the derrick. e

Figure 3 is a cross sectional detail taken on ,f, the line 3-#3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4t is a View of the casing driving hammer as assembled with the casing.

Figure 5 s a plan view of the machine, with the derrick forming parts removed.

v Figure 6 is a side elevation of the parts as shown in Figure Figure 7 is a sectional detail illustrating the bushing which eccentrically supports one end of one of the friction wheel shafts. Y en Figure 8 is a view of a walking beam and its associated cable and cable guide, with a diagrammatic illustration of the wiring connections for an automatic signalling means in connection with thel device for indicating the ,1; conditions under which the cable is veperating.

Figure 9 ris a plan view o-f the walkin beam latch mechanism Y -Figure vl() is a detail sectional View showing the assembled relation of the drilling and casingfdriwing tools.`

Referring more in detail. to the drawings* The mainframe structure of the Vmachine comprises the parallel, opposite side sills l and la, that are rigidly joined at their ends f by transverse beams 2. This frame is supported, through the intermediacy of suitable axles, springs, etc. not herein illustrated, by the ground wheels 3, and an engine 4 is suspended within the forward end of the frame i; which is utilized for propelling the device as well as for operating the drilling machinery, as presently described,` As herein illustrated the engine is of that type used in Ford automobiles of the year 1926, and this embodies a so transmission mechanism 5 that is connected f by a shaft 6 with a secondary change speed transmission mechanism, designated by reference numeral 7, from which a drive shaft 8 extends to and operatively connects with the rearl set of ground wheels 3 through the usual differential mechanism '9.

Erected at opposite sides of the main fra-me, are 'vertically directed frames lO-lO, each comprising two struts which have their lower ends rigidly bolted to the sills l and 1a toward the forward and rearward ends and joined at their upper ends to form a sort of truss. These two frames, or trusses, toward their upper ends have bearings 12 mounted thereon within which the opposite ends of a transversely disposed crank shaft 13 are rotatably contained. This crank is provided with two oppositely directed throws 13a and 13b which, respectively, operate against the swinging ends of a pair of walking beams 14 and 15 which are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on a supporting shaft 16 disposed transversely of the frame in supporting bearings 17 supported from the rear end cross beams 2. These two walking beams have no supporting connection with the crank shaft, but are normally held against their respective throws so as to follow them in their rotative movements by coiled springs 18 which, at their lower ends, are fixed to the beams and, at their upper ends, are attached to a cross shaft 19 extended between suprting standards 20 erected on the main rame.

The crank shaft 13 is driven from the engine by the following connections: Keyed on the engine shaft 6, is a bevel gear 25 which operates in mesh with a similar gear 26 fixed on a transversely directed, horizontal shaft 27 supported in a bearing 28 and extended to one side of the frame where it is equipped with a belt pulley 29. This pulley is alined with a somewhat larger pulley 30 fixed on the end of a transverse shaft 31 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 32 fixed on the mam sills, and a belt 33 extends about the pulleys 29 and 30 to provide a driving connection. Driving connection between shaft 31 and crank shaft 13 is effected by means of a sprocket chain 35 which operates over small and relatively large sprocket wheels 36 and 37 fixed on these shafts. A desirable driving s eed for the crank shaft is obtained through t 's gear reduction and by use of the change speed transmission mechanism 5 of the en- The casing driving hammer and the drilling tool, presently described in detail, are operated respectively by action of the walking beams 14 and 15 through the intermediacy of cables 40 and 41 which are paid out as needed from drums 42 and 43 on which they are wound. The drum 42 is fixed on a supporting shaft 44 that is mounted at its ends in bearings 45 supported from the forward members of the truss frames 10, while the drum 43 is fixed on a cross shaft 46 mounted in bearings 47 fixed to the under side of side sills 1 and la toward the rear end of the machine. The winding of these cables onto or from their respective drums is effected in the following manner: Mounted transversely of the frame, parallel with and at opposite sides of the cross shaft 31, are shafts 48 and 49 having ends contained in bearings 50 and 51 fixed on the sill 1a and their opposite ends contained within bushings 52 and 53 which, in turn, are revoluble within bearings 54 and 55 fixed to the sill 1, and keyed on these shafts adjacent the bushings, are friction wheels 56 and 57 which are adapted, by certain rotatable adjustment of the bushings which will shift the shafts laterally, to be moved into and from frictional driving engagement with a small friction wheel 58 that is fixed on the shaft 31. The drum shafts 44 and 46 are driven, respectively, from the shafts 48 and 49 by sprocket chain belts 60 and 61 which operate about sprocket wheels 62 and 63 on the drum shafts and about relatively small sprocket wheels 64 and 65 on the shafts 48 and 49. The adjustment of the friction wheels 56 and 57 against the driving friction wheel 58 for winding the drums and also their adjustment against brake shoes 67 and 68 that are fixed to the sill 1 as means of holding the wheels against rotation, is effected by rotative movement of the bushings, and, for this purpose, the bushings are equipped, respectively, with turning levers 69 and 70.

Associated with the main frame and the drilling mechanism, is a tripod derrick comprising the two upright legs 72-72 which are spread apart at their lower ends and 'oined at their upper ends to a vert-ical guide eam designated in its entirety, as in Figure 1, by reference numeral 73. These legs rest on the ground and are adapted to be supported in upright position by a leg or beam 76 which, at its lower end, is xed to the trusses 10-10 on the main frame, and, at its upper end, is attached, as at 77, to the lower end of the Iguide 73 where the other legs join thereto.

The two cables 40 and 41 extend from their respective drums rearwardly and about sheave wheels 78 and 79 mounted on the cross shaft 16. Then, they extend forwardly along their respective walking beams and beneath sheave wheels 80 and 81 fixed, respectively, to the beams near their forward ends; then, they extend upwardly along the leg V76 and beneath guide sheaves 82 and 83 that are fixed to the opposite sides of the latter near its upper end. From these sheaves the cables continue upwardly and over guide sheaves 84 and 85 in guide frame 73 and then extend downwardly where they are connected, respectively, to the driving and drilling tools.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in the construction of the guide 73 and resilient supports therein for the guide sheaves 84 and 85; the guide 73, as shown best in Figures 2 and 3, comprising two spaced apart, vertical and inwardly facing channel beams 86-86, and the sheaves 84 and 85 are mounted in yokes 8T to which blocks 88 are fixed at opposite sides.

These blocks are slidably contained lin' the guide :channels i'or i vertical movement. Fixed rigidly Within the guide, belowV the sheave wheels, are air cylinders 89 with pistons90 therein, which are connected by piston rods 91 with the lower ends of the yokes 87. With this connection, the sheaves are supported 'on `air -that is conn'ed within the cylinders 'and this, by virtue of the sliding action permitted, relieves the supports of all excessive jolt, jarfor strainthat otherwise `would be incident to raising and lowering action of the walkingb'eams. The eiliciency of the Aair cushions is in accordance with vthe degree to which the air is compressed within the cylinders, and this may be varied as is desired or're'quired to meet conditions which are dependent on the type or character of the drilling devices or conditions under which ldrilling is being done. Y

Fixed within the frame 73 above each ot the .guide sheaves .are resilient cushions 92 against which the upper ends of the yolres may engage to limit .their upward'movement and which will cushion the. stopping of the upward movement of vthe piston when there is a rebound.

' In Figures land 4, we have illustrated zee `'cable connections 'with the drilling and casing driving tools. ln these figures, .95 ydesignates the upper section oit the well casing onto the upper end of which a T-iitting 96 is threaded. Into this iitting :a short section of pipe 97 is threaded and on'the upper end of this pipe 'section a collar V98 is'lixed.V The casing driving hammer consists oiga cylindrical weight-99 that-lits slidably about the Ypipe 97 and towhi'ch the cable l0 is attached.. The drilling tool consists of a small pipe 100 that is reciprocally operable within the casing and which, at itsupper end, isattached to the end of the cable 41. At the lower 'end of this pipe 100 is a drill bit 101 having openings 102 therein communicating with the pipe 100. p Vater may be admitted to theupper end 'of the pipe 100 by a hose connection 103 and this Water will be delivered from the bit to facilitate the drilling opera-tion .and will then flow upwardly through the casing and :be discharged from the T-iitting 96.

In connection with the cushioning means provided for the drilling and casing driving devices, we'have provided means for autoinatically indicating When it is desirable to pay out more cable. This indicating means serves also to indicate when the parts are operating under an undesirable strain. c

The signalling means provided, as shown in Figure l8, is as follows.: y

'Extending laterally from the yokes 87 in which the sheaves 84 and 85 are contained at the upper end of the lderrick, are brushes 105 which are adapted, at such times Whenthe pistons are suiliciently depressed within -I the air cylinders, to; come into rubbing-engagement with Contact plate's106 supported parallel with the direction of movement of the pistons. Also, on the upperlside 'of the n walkingbeamsf llwand 15, are contact plates 1'07 adapted, when the beams Aare at their upper limits of travel, to engage with iixed contacts A108. Circuit wires 109 connect the plates 107 with the brushes 105 ot corresponding yokes and circuit wires v110 connect contacts 106 and 108 through signal lamps willbe made between a brush 105 Vand con- .l

tact 106 to thereby close `a circuit through a signal lamp, whichwill indicate to the vdrill operator that more cable is needed and he, accordingly, l'can pay it out by releasing ,frictionall holding contact of the Wheel 56 or 57 from its brake shoe which will permit the cable to unwind from its drum. They operator, with this arrangement, is permitted to focus his attention `on the spot where the controls are located insteadoi' at both the tools and the controls. i

In order thateither or both of the walking beams may be held out of gear fatany time without the .necessity of :stopping the machine and may thenbe released at vwill `for operation, we haveprovided each beam with a retaining latch device as is best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Each latch y'comprises a latch arm pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 116 xed in the trame and havinga hooked end117 vadapted to be adjusted-from a disengaged position to ksuch position at which it will hook over the swinging end of the walking beam when the latter is at the lower point of its swing. The latch movement is limited in opposite directions be# tween fixed pins 118l land 119 and the hooked end thereof is so inclined that shonld it be 'adjusted to a holding position while the beam is inraised position, thev beam end on coming-downwardly into engagement therewith will push the latch outwardly and be Coiled sprin 131 surround the rods 130 and are connecte at their ends to the latches and to the blocks. By rotation of the rods 125 iuV opfosite directions, the springs may be 5 4place either under tension or under compression. When under compression, as shown in full lines in Figure 8, the latches will be held thereby yieldingly in locking position. When the rod is rotated from the lo position shown in Figure 8 to the dotted line position, the spring will be placed under tensioniand this will yieldingly hold the latch in Lreleased position. Pins 134 and 135 are lxedin the inner end supporting brackets 126 to limit the extent of turning of the shafts 125 at ints just beyond dead center positions, so tliiit the sprin s act to automatically hold the rods at di erent positions to which they may be adjusted. zo With the drill so constructed and set up as illustrated in Figure 1, its operation, brieiiy described, is as follows:

Rotation of the crank shaft 13 through the power connection provided from the engine 4 elects upward and downward action of the walking beams 14 and 15, and this, through the cables and 41, causes upward and downward reciprocal action of the drillingr tool and the hammer. As the drill advances .0 downwardly into the ground, the casing is likewise advanced by the pounding action of the hammer 99 against its upper end and, as each section of casing `is advanced into the ound, other sections are added thereto. kewise, pipe sections are added to the upper end of the drill pipe 100 as the drilling progrosses. Should the drill tool at any time be stopped with clearance at its lower end due to an insuicient length of cable, the signal devices operating in connection with the cushioned shaft at the upper end of the derrick over which the drill cable extends, will cause the closing of an electric circuit through the signal lamp 111 and the operator is thereby notified of the condition and may pay out the cable accordingl Likewise, should the hammer be stoppe with clearance at its lower end, a signal will be given to indica'ie this condition. By watching the signaling devices, the operator may pay out the cables aszneeded for the best results. Should it be desired, at any time or for any special reamn, to pull the casing, this is done simpl Y by drawing in the cable of the hammer unti the upward action of the hammer causes it to engage with the collar 98 at the upper end of the pipe section 97 about which the hainmer reciprocates. It will', in this way, provide an upward driving action which will pull `the casing. Pulling of the casing is sometimes very necessary and desirable where blasting is required to remove obstructions in the way of drilling. A great advantage results also in the ability to straighten casings by pulling them back a few feet and then driving down again. The ability to pull the casing back in this way makes it feasible in well drilling to prospect ahead even after a little water is found, as it is very easy to pull the casing back to a bed of water that has been passed through in the hope of finding a more abundant supply farther on.

The resilient cushions provided by using the air cylinders effectively dampens the shock and strain on the cables and on the supporting mechanism. These strains are s0 ironed out that the drilling or pounding action may be speeded up considerably. Not only are the normal strains reduced by the spring action of such cushions, but in case of sticking of the drill, pipe, etc. with the resulting unusual strain, the cushion action prevents a strain great enough for breaking the cables or associated machinery. A great advantage also resides in the fact that the characteristics of the action can be very widely varied and adapted to different Iconditions, such as in roel: drilling where a long and hard stroke is needed and to clay digging where a short, up and down motion is desirable. The resiliency of the air cushion may be varied as desired by the amount of air contained within the cylinder and this may be readily regulated by virtue of an air valve provided in the base of each cylinder for tillt ing with air or for discharging. The principal fcature of the air cushion, however, resides in the fact that a given action can be exactly maintained for any weight being operated, simply by the addition or removal of 100 air from the air cylinder. Another advantage resides in the fact that either or both walking beams may be stopped at will without stopping the machinery. No clutches, or similar apparatus, is required or used.

In this machine, there is much less weight by reason of the fact that the motor is used both for propulsion and for operating the machinery.l Ease, speed and simplicity in connection or disconnection is provided. To 110 connect the well drilling machinery with the engine, it is only necessary to place the belt 33 about its pulleys.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a drilling machine of the character described, a two-throw, driven crank shaft, a pair of walking beams adapted to be oscillated thereby, a derrick provided at its upper end with a vertical guideway, a pair of cable guide pulleys disposed in vertically spaced relation and provided with supporting frames that are slidable in the guideway, a drill tool cable and a driving tool cable having operative connection, respectively, with the wa l beams and extended over said .ting pulleys, drilling and driving tools suspended and adapted to be actuated by said cables incident to operation of the walking beams,

resilient supports for each of the pulley frames and resilient buffers fixed in the guideway against which the pulley frames may abut to limit their` upward travel.

2. In a well drilling machine, a casing driving and pulling tool comprising in combination with an actuating cable, a pipe section adapted to be connected to the upper end of a well casing as a continuation of the latter and having abutments thereon in spaced relation, and a hammer operatively associated with the pipe section and adapted to be actuated by the said cable against either of said abutments.

In a. well drilling machine, a casing driving and pulling tool comprising in combination with an actuating cable, a pipe section having a fitting connecting it to the upper end of a well casing as a continuation of the latter and through which a drill tool may operate, a collar fixed about the upper end of the p-ipe section and a hammer comprising a weight that is slidably fitted about the pipe section and adapted to be actuated bythe cable against the collar for pulling the casing or against the iitting for driving the casing.

4. In a well drilling machine of the character described, the combination with an oscillating walking beam, a crank shaft for actuating the latter and a spring attached to the beam for holding it in following engagement with the crank shaft, of a latch Vdevice comprising a pivotally mounted latch lever having a hooked end adapted to holdingly engage the end of the walking beam to retain the latter at its lower limit of travel, means for adjusting the latch lever into and from holding position and yieldable means for retaining it at either of said positions to which it may be adjusted.

5. In a well drilling machine, the combination with an oscillating walking beam, a

crank shaft for actuating the latter and a spring connected with the beam for causing it to follow the crank shaft, of a latch device comprising a pivotally mounted latch, a lever having a hooked end adapted for holding engagement with the end of the beam, a short rod pivotally connected with the latch, a block slidable on the rod, a coiled spring connecting the block and the latch and an adjusting rod havingI a crank portion extended through the block and whereby, on rotation of the rod, the spring will be placed under compression or under tension to yieldably retain the latch in holding or released positions.

6. In a well drilling machine. the combination with an oscillating walking beam, a crank shaft for actuating the latter and a spring connected with the beam for causing it to follow the crank shaft, of a latch device comprising a pivotally mounted latch lever having a hooked end adapted for holding engagement with the end of the beam, a rod pivotally connected with the latch, a block slidable on the rod, a spring connecting the block and the latch and an adjusting rod having a crank portion extended through the block and whereby, on rotation of the rod, the spring will be placed under compression or under tension to yieldably retain the latch in holding or released position and means for limiting the movement of the lever between holdin and released positions. Y

Signed at eattle, Washington, this 11th day of November, 1927.

FREDERICK H. JENSEN. HENRY TRAEGER. 

